Match: Australia v Pakistan
Date: 13 January, Friday
Time: 11:20am SGT/8:50pm IST/3:20am GMT
Venue: Brisbane Cricket Ground
TV Channel: Star Cricket will provide live TV coverage in Singapore.
Live streaming: Sky Go, Hotstar
Overview
Pakistan begin their five-match One Day International series at the Gabba on Friday after facing a 3-0 whitewash in the recently-concluded Test series.
The Men in Green have a lot to play for in the upcoming series especially after their Test unit succumbed to 12 straight losses after being in the number one spot last year. Also, Azhar Ali's men, who are currently ranked eight, are in danger of losing their 2019 World Cup automatic qualifying spot and a series loss in Australia would put them in danger of slipping further.
Pakistan have also lost two of their key stars - Mohammad Irfan and Sarfraz Ahmed, as both of them have flown back to Pakistan to attend to family issues. Mohammad Hafeez has been drafted into the squad and Umar Akmal is returning to the ODI scene after almost a two-year absence.
However, Pakistan batting unit's performance in the practise game against Cricket Australia XI on Tuesday should have boosted the team management's morale. Akmal (54), Babar Azam (98) and Sharjeel Khan (62) helped the visitors post 334 and clinch a massive 196-run win.
22-year-old pacer Hassan Ali impressed during the tour game and he is expected to combine with Wahab Riaz and Mohammad Amir. Imad Wasim, who took two wickets on Tuesday, might get the nod ahead of Mohammad Nawaz to handle the spin department.
On the other hand, Australia have brought in quite a few names, who have performed well in the ongoing Big Bash League season. Adelaide Strikers' pacer Billy Stanlake will make his debut and big-hitting Chris Lynn is back along with Melbourne Stars' Glenn Maxwell.
Steve Smith's men are upbeat after their 3-0 thrashing of New Zealand at home last year and the addition of BBL stars has added firepower to their unit. Pakistan will have to punch above their weight if they are to trouble the number one-ranked side.
TV Schedule
India: Star Sports
Australia: Channel 9
Pakistan: PTV Sports
UK: BT Sport
Sri Lanka: TNL TV
US: Willow TV
Middle East: OSN Sports
Team News
Australia
Playing XI: Smith (C), Warner, Head, Lynn, Marsh, Maxwell, Wade (wk), Faulkner, Cummins, Starc, Stanlake
Pakistan
Possible XI: Ali (C), Sharjeel, Hafeez, Babar, Malik, Umar, Rizwan (Wk), Imad, Amir, Wahab, Hasan
